Josh Zirkzee & a Man Utd split? Why to cut-and-run now would be ridiculous

Talk about a split. That Zirkee and United parted ways in January. Well, for this column it's just ridiculous. And that would be even more the case if that speculation is actually driven by people within the club. Or from the player's own camp.

In Italy they are convinced. Fabio Capello was the first to put forward the idea. Then Paolo di Canio was the next to jump on board.

“I would borrow Zirkzee from Manchester United,” said the former West Ham captain. “They have been making crazy choices there for years and nothing works. And he is a bit too slow for the Premier, in the confusion that there is at United they might be able to borrow him.”

And soon they were in line. Italy's biggest and brightest pundits, against one man, who says Zirkzee should come back to Serie A. After all his impact and success at Bologna, he was wrong to leave Italy for England and United. He has to come back. Inter Milan. Juventus. AC Milan. It doesn't matter. Any of those stages would offer more than what he gets at United… or so they say.

And they know what they are doing. Capello and co want to see Zirkzee running around the Serie A stadiums. He was an asset, not just for Bologna, but for the league as a whole. He was stardust. “Watch Zirkzee in the Premier League and tell me if he looks like the same player we admired in Bologna,” Capello has noted. “He did what he wanted in Italy…”

As we say, in Italy they know. Zirkzee is, as they would say in the United States, a franchise player. A potential world beater. One that stimulates ticket sales. Sponsorship. TV offers. He's that type of entertainer. And they would like to see him back on Italian soil.

Therefore, if these claims in the local press are credible, it is ridiculous that United's management are now questioning themselves. Yes, Zirkzee has had a slow start to his United career. Yes, maybe he didn't live up to the initial expectations of the higher ups. But after less than four months together, you're no longer ready.

As we mentioned earlier this season, United's strength and conditioning staff, at least under Erik ten Hag, quickly realized that Zirkee's physique needed work. The Dutchman did not arrive overweight, as claimed. It was simply an example of a player moving from one form of football to another. Yes, he looks leggy. Yes, he appeared off the pace. But these are physical factors that United's fitness staff can take care of. It may take another twelve to eighteen months before Zirkzee's frame is truly 'Premier League-ready', but with dedication and patience he will get there.

That is what United's management team also needs to show. For this column, we've seen enough of Zirkzee to accept that the hype is real. The Dutchman has all the qualities of a true Stretford End favourite. Indeed, we find it difficult to recall a player, in terms of style and potential, as close to Eric Cantona as United's number 11. Do you want a player to sell shirts? To create dreams? Folklore? Well, Zirkzee it is. At least he could be, if given the time and trust of the decision makers within the club.

In addition to the audience affiliated with INEOS, there is of course also the opinion of the new manager. And again, there is speculation that Ruben Amorin does not see a place for Zirkzee in his original plans.

But for the Dutchman, we can remember a Swede that Amorim was unsure of when he was in charge of Sporting CP. It is understood that Amorim was less than enthusiastic when Sporting signed a deal with Coventry City for Viktor Gyokeres 18 months ago. After convincing his board to break a club record by signing Paulinho from Braga last year, Amorim was steadfast in his support for the experienced centre-forward.

But those above him urged a reluctant Amorim to give Gyokeres a chance. There was no major persuasion, but Sporting's then coach was quietly convinced of the bigger picture and the rest, as we now see, is history…

Should United's board do the same? Maybe. Although for this column it appears from media brochures that the new manager has already put a line through Zirkzee's name.

Either way, the idea of ​​a split as early as January is ridiculous. The youth are on Zirkzee's side. Its price tag shouldn't warrant an immediate return either. At Manchester United, Josh Zirkzee should be seen as a project. Nothing more. Nothing less…